“Yes, sir.” He hesitated.
“What else is there to tell me?” asked Raguul.
“It looks like we may have run into another delay with the treaty.”
Raguul groaned. “What is it this time?”
“Captain Jordan and Mr. James Blackwell of the Erasmus have been making representation to Sub-Commander Rhuk that they want to be included in the treaty talks.”
“Just what I need,” muttered Raguul. “What do our current Keissian delegates say?”
“All Hamilton and Skinner are concerned with is having our help to protect their world from the Valtegans. As Hamilton pointed out, Earth’s interests are entirely different from theirs, and the people from the Erasmus know nothing about life on Keiss or under the Valtegans. They’ve been in space so long that they aren’t even representative of the current Earth attitudes.”
“Does that mean they want to exclude them from the council?”
“No. They’ve no objection to them having a representative-they suggest Mr. Blackwell— so long as it’s understood who’s in charge. Skinner and Hamilton are more concerned by Earth’s attitude that after all they’ve been through, they haven’t the right to autonomy.”
“They seem to have settled it between themselves so there’s no need for us to become involved. Any news from High Command on that Valtegan craft that escaped? Have they managed to track down where it was headed?”
“Nothing yet, sir. One more thing, Commander. The Brother is waiting to see you.”
“He is, is he? Any idea what he wants?”
“You did say you wanted to see him when he was recovered.”
Raguul nodded. “So I did. A small matter of seven deaths, wasn’t it? Ask him to come in.” His ears flicked with annoyance.
Kaid entered, only a slight limp betraying his injured leg. “Commander,” he said, sitting down.
The Commander nodded. “There have been four incidents in the last few days that have resulted in the deaths of members of my crew. I don’t suppose you know anything about them, do you?” he asked, tapping his claws on the surface of his desk.
“I’m not at liberty to divulge that information, Commander, and you know that,” Kaid murmured.
“Dammit, your contract didn’t mention anything about killing!” exclaimed Raguul.
“My contract gave me the authority to take what steps were necessary to ensure the safe delivery of Liegen Kusac Aldatan and his Leska to Shola. You wanted me to wind up my investigation of the dissidents. That’s what I did.”
“I didn’t expect you to take the law into your own hands!” said Raguul angrily. “Those people should have been brought into custody, not killed!”
“Had the movement been more widespread, I would have perhaps acted differently, but there were only a small number of people involved as far as I knew. As it is, I have to report that my undercover contact has been approached by yet another member of this movement. She was due on bridge duty tonight and was asked to intercept an incoming message from the Rhyaki— a message that was arranged by Chyad.”
“I’ll have no more killings,” growled Raguul. “Draz will deal with it from now on!”
“That is exactly what I’ve done, Commander,” Kaid said quietly. “Unfortunately, I am hardly in any state to deal with the matter myself. I contacted Draz and he arranged for your officer to be reported sick with some Terran ailment. She’s been quarantined for the next five days and her replacement is one of Draz’s people. I won’t place Lieutenant Rralgu in any further danger. I suggest you post her to Keiss as soon as possible to keep her out of the way of these people. On Keiss she is of no use to them. They play hard, as I found out to my cost,” he said wryly. “The scouter crash was none of my doing.”
“You planned to kill Chyad and Maikoe,” said Raguul.
“I never endanger the innocent,” said Kaid stiffly.
“You took the law into your own hands when you decided the others were guilty,” growled Raguul.
“Their continued existence constituted a threat to the lives of those I was hired to protect. I assure you my judgment has never been questioned before,” growled Kaid. “Check with the Brotherhood if you wish. I had their blessing, and their instructions for this mission, as you well know.”
“I want your promise that there will be no more killings on the Khalossa,” Raguul demanded.
“I can’t give you that. If their lives are threatened again, as they were by Jakule, then I will kill to protect them.”
“Dammit, you know full well what I mean!”
“No, Commander, I don’t. I have my instructions, and you have yours. Let’s just follow them, shall we?” Kaid stood up. “If you have a complaint, you know the procedure. Contact Dzahai Stronghold and request a tribunal. Good day, Commander.”
As Raguul watched him leave, he realized that the room about him was starting to darken.
“Commander,” said Myak, taking hold of his shoulder and shaking him. “Leave it. He’s in the right. His primary contract was to ensure their safety.”
Raguul took a deep breath, aware that Myak was trying to prevent him from going into a hunter/kill state.
“I know,” he growled, “which is why it annoys me!”
“At least he’s put Draz in charge now,” said Myak. “And he’s removed Lieutenant Rralgu from danger. I think it would be wise to follow his advice and have her posted planetside as soon as possible.” He left the Commander’s side and went over to the drinks cupboard.
“I think you’ll enjoy this, Commander,” he said, picking up a small bottle and a glass. “It’s from Keiss, a human drink. They call it brandy. I’ve tried it and it’s rather pleasant. It’s said to have a settling effect on the stomach.”
*
“I’ve seen you about, of course, but if you hadn’t come over, I’d never have placed you,” said Rulla.
“It’s been a few years,” admitted Garras, nudging the meat on his plate around with his fork. “What the hell’s this supposed to be?” he asked, holding up a piece of gristle.
“The supply ship’s been delayed,” said Rulla, pushing his plate aside. “We’re getting the dregs. They lifted the blackout today, so it should arrive here tomorrow.”
“Thank the God for that!” said Garras, giving up on his meal, too. “Tallinu asked me to get a report from you. Anything interesting happening below decks?”
“Depends what you call interesting,” said Rulla. “I managed to get some planet leave in, so I ambled over to the shanty bar on the edge of the new space port. Did you know there are Keissian qwenes there?”
“Qwenes? No, I didn’t. Wait a minute. I remember Carrie telling us that some of their women went voluntarily to the Valtegan pleasure cities. I expect it’s them. They wouldn’t have been very popular with their own people after the Valtegans left.”
“Well, they’re popular with our males,” grinned Rulla. “In fact, one or two of the troopers have formed semipermanent relationships with them. All this is beside the point, though. From these females I found out that there’s been a spate of thefts recently. Thefts of Sholan property. The qwenes weren’t too happy about it as they were getting the blame. Then as suddenly as they started, they stopped.”
“Curious. What type of things were going missing?” asked Garras.
“All sorts. Clothing, kit bags, personal mementos. A real mixture of goods.”
“Strange. Wonder why?”
“Perhaps one of the females felt she needed the security of possessions she could sell.”
“Or someone wanted to create a new identity.”
Rulla frowned thoughtfully. “You think so? The thefts were random and spaced over several days. There was no pattern either to the type of goods taken or those they were stolen from.”
“Keep your ear to the ground on this one, Rulla. If it happens again, let me know. Nobody’s gone missing, have they? No one late back from leave?”
“There are always people who dig t
heir claws into the ground when it comes to returning to duty,” he grinned. “That’s nothing remarkable. What’re you looking for?”
“A male trying to pass himself off as someone else.”
“Oh? Who’s that, then? This Chyad fellow?”
Garras let his mouth open in a slight grin. “You’re sharp today,” he said. “Yes, Chyad. He was on the scouter that went down several days ago. He was reported dead, but we aren’t so sure. Keep it to yourself, though.”
Rulla nodded. “Will do. It’s good to see you and Kaid working together again. Tell him to remember what I said. If you’re with him, then I’m in too.”
Garras felt a shiver run down his spine. On the chair beside him, the fur on his tail started to bush out. With an effort of will, he forced himself to think calmly. “There’s nothing happening, Rulla. We’re merely doing a job.”
Rulla gave a derisory snort. “Don’t give me that crap, Garras. Think I’m a youngling, do you? I know what’s at stake here as well as you do, and I’m not prepared to back either Stronghold or the Telepaths. Just don’t forget me, that’s all I ask. You know I can be counted on.”
Garras stood up. “I’ll tell Kaid what you said.”
*
Carrie and Kusac were due to leave for Shola that day, on the craft which had brought the Earth dignitaries to Keiss. The treaty with Keiss was all but complete despite the minor delay encountered from those lately arrived via the Erasmus. Alien Relations had agreed to the inclusion of Blackwell so long as it was understood that they would deal only with the Terrans who had been running Keiss from the beginning. Those humans-now commonly referred to by all, including themselves, as Keissians— knew exactly how important the program to arm Keiss was, and they were more than capable of taking the hard decisions necessary to ensure this was done as quickly as possible.
Alien Relations was now prepared to talk separately to the humans from Earth. After being virtually ignored for the last two weeks, Earth was more than happy to talk to them.
Carrie and Kusac had gone down to the viewing gallery in the main landing bay to watch them debark. Kusac noted with interest that like the Sholans, Terrans came in many sizes and colors. On Keiss he had met very few and they had been of the same basic stock as Carrie.
She stood at Kusac’s side watching the tiny figures scurrying about loading fresh supplies.
Kusac pointed to the craft, its sharp lines thrown into relief by the harsh landing bay lights. It seemed to be crouching on the pad in front of the massive air lock as if impatiently waiting the command to take off.
“That’s the ship we’ll be traveling on,” he said.
“It looks very small,” she said dubiously.
“Only because of the size of the landing bay,” he said, putting an arm round her.
She turned almond-slitted eyes to him. “I was just getting used to the Khalossa.”
“You’ll like Shola, and once the Terrans start recruiting their Talented and sending them there, you won’t feel so unique.”
She sighed. “I’m still not comfortable in human company, Kusac. Among Sholans I’m at ease; they don’t judge me.”
“Not all humans do,” said Kusac giving her a hug. “Look at Mito. She finally got her human male, didn’t she?”
Carrie grinned. “Anders? Yes, but it took her weeks of answering his questions about Shola first, and then she still had to jump on him!”
“Ah, your human reticence,” sighed Kusac, turning away from the view and leading her back into the main part of the ship. “What’s your opinion of the Keissian females, Meral?” he asked.
“Near enough our own kind to be interesting, Liegen. There were a couple I had my eyes on during my one tour of duty on Keiss, but I didn’t get the chance to even talk to them,” he said regretfully.
“Sevrin?”
“I haven’t been down to Keiss, Liegen. The only Terrans I’ve met are those on the ship. Having read the communiquèc)s on interspecies relationships, I would be cautious about initiating a friendship, even if I did get the chance to meet them socially.”
“Wise,” said Kusac, as they headed back to the elevator. “I hear they have foul tempers.”
“Kusac!” exclaimed Carrie, rising to the bait. Then she caught his mental laugh. “Really,” she said, poking him in the ribs with her elbow.
Kusac laughed. “You should know better by now,” he said.
*
Their personal possessions had already been packed and sent to the ship by Kaid.
“We’ll be able to have more clothes made for you on Shola,” said Kusac confidently. “Clothes that fit you properly rather than just wearing Sholan fashions that are too large for you.”
Carrie looked down at the long split-paneled tabard she wore over her trousers. It was the preferred item of casual dress for Sholans when off duty.
“I like these tabards,” she said, touching the soft olive-colored fabric.
“They’re fine in the controlled environment of the ship,” said Kusac looking critically at her, “but you don’t need such long splits. In the winter, your legs will be cold.”
“What’s the climate like on Shola?”
“Where we’re going, warmer than Keiss in the summer season, but the winter is bitter. We’ll have more of your trousers made for you, and some long robes like those my mother wears. Shoes shouldn’t be a problem since we can have your existing ones copied.”
“Where exactly on Shola are we going?”
“To the main Telepath Guild at Valsgarth. The town’s on the east coast of the major planetary land mass and adjoins my family’s estate. The estate actually borders the sea. You’ll like it there; plenty of good hunting.” He stopped short, realizing she wouldn’t be able to accompany him on a hunt.
“There’re many ways to hunt,” said Carrie, putting a comforting hand on his arm. “My ancestors managed quite well on two legs. We’ll work out something.”
Kusac nodded, not completely convinced. He tried not to wonder how many more aspects of normal Sholan life would be denied to his human Leska and himself.
He glanced at the timepiece on the wall. “I think you’d better finish dressing for the journey, it’s almost time to leave. Wear the purple cloak.”
“What will you wear, then?”
“I’ll wear the gray one,” he said, handing her the cloak from the chair. “They know me. I want them to identify you as a telepath from the first.”
She nodded. “Will I be warm enough with just a shirt on underneath?” she asked.
“We’ve got a couple of the padded jerkins for when we land on Shola. That’s when you’ll feel the cold. We won’t be in the landing bay area long enough for it to matter here. Come on, time to go. My mother’s meeting us there,” he said, walking to the bedroom door.
Carrie took a last look round the room. He felt her sadness in leaving what had become their home over the last few weeks. He went back, taking her by the hand and urging her gently to leave.
I know, but come, we must leave now.
Meral and Sevrin were waiting for them in the hallway.
“Where’s Kaid?” asked Carrie.
“He’s on board, making sure the suite is in order, Liegena,” answered Meral.
They took the elevator down to the lower levels of the ship, stepping out into the unheated air of the landing bay. The metal floor was icy under Kusac’s bare feet and reflexively his claws extended, his footsteps echoing as they walked over to the waiting craft.
Carrie shivered, drawing the woolen cloak tighter.
Once up the ramp and through the hatch, the warm air of the ship was a welcome relief. Kaid was waiting to show them to their quarters.
“The Clan Leader is waiting for you, Liegen,” he said. “I’m afraid it isn’t as spacious as the suite on the Khalossa, but it’s adequate considering we’ll only be using it for a week,” he said, ushering them in.
Rhyasha got to her feet as they entered. “I hope you don’t
mind me waiting in here, but I hate the sterile environment of the landing bay. It’s so impersonal,” she said, coming forward to greet them. She embraced Kusac first, then Carrie.
“I wish I was coming with you,” she said, wrapping Carrie’s arm through hers. “Unfortunately, I need to remain long enough to get the treaty with Earth off the ground. Once the preliminaries are over, then I can leave it to the AlRel people. Believe me, when that moment comes, I will be on the fastest ship home!”
“How long do you think you’ll be?” Kusac asked.
“About another week, maybe two,” she said, “I’ll have to go now, I’m afraid,” she said as they felt the vibration of the engines starting up. “Give your father and sisters my love,” she said, drawing them both toward the corridor.
Kusac, see you tell your father all about Carrie. I know you haven’t done so yet, she sent as they walked toward the hatchway.
I’ll tell him face-to-face, Mother, not from the safety of a comm.
I understand, but I think you’d do better to tell him now.
Rhyasha hugged them both again, then left.
Silently, they made their way back to their rooms.
“When do we leave?” Kusac asked Kaid as he helped Carrie off with her cloak.
“In a quarter of an hour.”
“Has Vanna arrived yet?” asked Carrie, wandering around the room and opening the various doors that led off the small lounge.
“Yes, Liegena. She’s gone to check what medical facilities the ship carries.”
“Let’s trust we don’t need them,” said Kusac. “What sleeping arrangements have you made?”
“There are three bedrooms in the suite, Liegen. I have allowed one for you and the Liegena, one for Physician Vanna, and the last for us.” He indicated himself and the two guards. “Your room has been fitted with a psychic inhibitor to make the journey more peaceful for you.”
Going to be cozy, Kusac sent to Carrie as he sat down.
Only for a week.
Kusac grunted.
“We have to eat in the communal dining room,” continued Kaid apologetically.
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